Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Cooking 101
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
SUBSCRIBE
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Eating Smart
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Email Preferences

Manage Your Subscription

  • All Access Subscribers
  • Magazine Subscribers
  • Cooking Light Diet Subscribers
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Our Best Middle Eastern Recipes

Our Best Middle Eastern Recipes

September 07, 2014
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: Justin Walker
Bring the sun-baked flavors of the Middle East to your kitchen with our lightened versions of traditional dishes.
Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Flavors of the Middle East

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chelo Kebab

Wander through any Middle Eastern bazaar, and piney caraway, gingery cardamom, and citrusy coriander will engulf your senses. These recipes incorporate fresh ingredients and clever calorie cuts to create lighter versions of some of the region's most popular dishes.

Iran takes rice to new heights. For chelo, the rice is parboiled, and then fried in a pan, covered with a cloth, and steamed with butter and salt, creating a crispy, golden crust on the bottom. We cut back on the butter and salt, but the rice still forms a good crust, known as tah dig. Use a nonstick pan here so you can invert the whole pan of rice and show the golden brown crust.

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant with Tahini Sauce and Tomato Relish

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant with Tahini Sauce and Tomato Relish

A sandwich of chickpea fritters in pita bread, falafel ranks amont the world's most popular Middle Eastern foods. Here's a re-imagining of the same elements—seasoned mashed chickpeas, tahini sauce, and tomato relish—stuffed into roasted eggplant instead of pita pockets. It makes a satisfying vegetarian main dish.

2 of 13

3 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chocolate Baklava

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chocolate Baklava

Probably the most famous Middle Eastern sweet pastry, baklava layers phyllo dough with pistachios, walnuts, or almonds, and sugar syrup or honey. In this version, chocolate-hazelnut spread enrobes four different kinds of chopped nuts—hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts, and almonds. Cinnamon-scented honey syrup crowns the top.

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chicken Tabbouleh with Tahini Drizzle

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chicken Tabbouleh with Tahini Drizzle

A salad of parsley, bulgur, and tomato, tabbouleh is traditionally served as part of mezze, the Middle East's version of tapas. Here, sautéed chicken thighs and a creamy sesame sauce turn the bulgur salad into a main dish. This healthy meal-in-a-bowl comes from Mark Bittman, author of How to Cook Everything. 

4 of 13

5 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Baba Ghanoush

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Baba Ghanoush

In Lebanon, some cooks replace the lemon juice in this classic eggplant dip with pomegranate molasses for a touch of sweetness. Either way, smokiness is essential to the dish. If you can broil or grill the eggplant until the skin blackens all over, you'll get a more authentic flavor. 

5 of 13

6 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Batrik (Bulgur Salad with Nuts)

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Batrik (Bulgur Salad with Nuts)

Bulgur forms the basis of many Middle Eastern salads. This Turkish one, from cultural anthropologist Claudia Roden, requires no cooking and fewer than 10 minutes of hands-on time. The bulgur softens as it absorbs the juice of the fresh tomatoes.

 

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Dukkah

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House

Dukkah is an incredibly versatile mix of nuts, seeds, and spices that's perfect for flavoring pita bread and cut vegetables that have been dipped in olive oil. Dip the vegetables or bread in the oil, and then the dukkah. You can also use dukkah to season grilled or roasted meat, fish, and vegetables.

7 of 13

8 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Koshari

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Koshari

Running a marathon? Here's your carbo-load: a classic Egyptian street food of rice, pasta, and lentils topped with spicy-sweet tomato sauce and deeply savory caramelized onions. The recipe comes courtesy of Anissa Helou, native Lebanese food writer and author of Mediterranean Street Food. 

 

8 of 13

9 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lemony Chicken Kebabs with Tomato-Parsley Salad

Credit: Photo: Justin Walker
View Recipe: Lemony Chicken Kebabs with Tomato-Parsley Salad

Here's a six-ingredient dish that delivers big taste with minimal fuss. If you're pressed for time, cut the marinating back to 15 minutes–lemon flavor will still come through.

 

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chicken with Preserved Lemon

Credit: Photo: Justin Walker
View Recipe: Chicken with Preserved Lemon

Whole lemons preserved in a salty brine are a flavor powerhouse. Look for preserved lemons at specialty stores, or order online from rakuten.com. They work wonders in dishes that can use a tangy, salty punch.

10 of 13

11 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Grilled Chicken Pitas With Sesame Drizzle

Credit: Photo: Justin Walker
View Recipe: Grilled Chicken Pitas With Sesame Drizzle

Look for jars or cans of tahini on the international aisle of the supermarket. It adds nutty flavor and keeps the sandwich moist.

11 of 13

12 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Moroccan-Spiced Roasted Chicken with Sweet Onions

Credit: Photo: Justin Walker
View Recipe: Moroccan-Spiced Roasted Chicken with Sweet Onions

Take a weeknight culinary adventure with this Moroccan-inspired meal. Sweet onions are the ideal ingredient to contrast the strong spices used to season the chicken breasts. 

 

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Credit: Photo: Justin Walker
View Recipe: Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

This tasty chicken recipe is filled with flavors from the Middle East and comes with a serving of greens built in. Try using mozzarella or provolone cheese for a more mild, kid-friendly dish. 

 

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 13 The Flavors of the Middle East
    2 of 13 Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant with Tahini Sauce and Tomato Relish
    3 of 13 Chocolate Baklava
    4 of 13 Chicken Tabbouleh with Tahini Drizzle
    5 of 13 Baba Ghanoush
    6 of 13 Batrik (Bulgur Salad with Nuts)
    7 of 13 Dukkah
    8 of 13 Koshari
    9 of 13 Lemony Chicken Kebabs with Tomato-Parsley Salad
    10 of 13 Chicken with Preserved Lemon
    11 of 13 Grilled Chicken Pitas With Sesame Drizzle
    12 of 13 Moroccan-Spiced Roasted Chicken with Sweet Onions
    13 of 13 Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Cooking Light

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    MeredithCooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Cooking Light. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.cookinglight.com

    View image

    Our Best Middle Eastern Recipes
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.